• Title/Summary/Keyword: Boston scale

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Neurocognitive Function Differentiation from the Effect of Psychopathologic Symptoms in the Disability Evaluation of Patients with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

  • Kim, Jin-Sung;Kim, Oh-Lyong;Koo, Bon-Hoon;Kim, Min-Su;Kim, Soon-Sub;Cheon, Eun-Jin
    • Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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    • v.54 no.5
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    • pp.390-398
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    • 2013
  • Objective : We determined whether the relationship between the neuropsychological performance of patients with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their psychopathological characteristics measured by disability evaluation are interrelated. In addition, we assessed which psychopathological variable was most influential on neuropsychological performance via statistical clustering of the same characteristics of mild TBI. Methods : A total of 219 disability evaluation participants with mild brain injury were selected. All participants were classified into three groups, based on their psychopathological characteristics, via a two-step cluster analysis using validity and clinical scales from the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and Symptom Checklist-90-revised (SCL-90-R). The Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (K-WAIS), Korean Memory Assessment Scale (K-MAS) and the Korean Boston Naming Test (K-BNT) were used to evaluate the neurocognitive functions of mild TBI patients. Results : Over a quarter (26.9%) experienced severe psychopathological symptoms and 43.4% experienced mild or moderate psychopathological symptoms, and all of the mild TBI patients showed a significant relationship between neurocognitive functions and subjective and/or objective psychopathic symptoms, but the degree of this relationship was moderate. Variances of neurocognitive function were explained by neurotic and psychotic symptoms, but the role of these factors were different to each other and participants did not show intelligence and other cognitive domain decrement except for global memory abilities compared to the non-psychopathology group. Conclusion : Certain patients with mild TBI showed psychopathological symptoms, but these were not directly related to cognitive decrement. Psychopathology and cognitive decrement are discrete aspects in patients with mild TBI. Furthermore, the neurotic symptoms of mild TBI patients made positive complements to decrements or impairments of neurocognitive functions, but the psychotic symptoms had a negative effect on neurocognitive functions.

Safety and Effectiveness of Fluoroscopy-Guided Acupotomy for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized, Patient-Assessor Blind, Parallel Clinical Trial

  • Yang, Muhack;Kim, Jae Kyoun;Park, Gun Woo;Cha, Eunhye;Jang, Jongwon;Seo, Jihye;Lee, Sangkwan;Kim, Sungchul
    • Journal of Acupuncture Research
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    • v.36 no.2
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    • pp.100-106
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    • 2019
  • Background: In Korean medicine, carpal tunnel syndrome is treated by stimulating the acupoints around the wrist. Although a deep understanding of anatomy and guidance is needed to stimulate these acupoints to avoid undesirable side-effects, currently there are no published guidelines for acupotomy treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of fluoroscopy-guided acupotomy compared with conventional acupotomy treatment. Methods: This is a randomized, patient-assessor, patient blind, parallel clinical trial. A total of 30 patients will be enrolled at Wonkwang University Gwangju Hospital, and will be allocated to either an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group will be treated using fluoroscopy-guided acupotomy and the control group will be treated using the conventional acupotomy method. Results: The primary outcome measure will be identification of a cross-section area of the median nerve measured by ultrasonography, and the secondary outcome measure will be the alleviation of pain measured by the Visual Analogue Scale, improvement in the Nerve Conduction Study, Tinel test, Phalen's test, EuroQol 5-dimension scale, and Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire score. Safety components will be measured by monitoring vital signs, electrocardiographs, blood tests, general chemical tests, urine tests and pregnancy tests. In addition, observations for adverse effects will be performed during the trial. Conclusion: This study will provide a more effective, and less harmful way of treating carpal tunnel syndrome compared with conventional acupotomy. Fluoroscopy-guided acupotomy will help practitioners to be accurate in direction and depth of the needle for treating carpal tunnel syndrome.

Carthami Semen Pharmacopuncture Combined with Electroacupuncture on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Retrospective Case Series Study

  • Kim, Pyung-Wha;Choe, Seon;Han, Kyungsun;Yang, Changsop;Lee, Jinbok;Kim, Sungha;Shin, Minseop
    • Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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    • v.24 no.2
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    • pp.76-83
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    • 2021
  • While carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy affecting the wrist, resulting in substantial physical, psychological, and economic effects, there is no gold standard therapy for CTS. In this case series study, we aimed to report CTS patients treated with Carthami Semen Pharmacopuncture (CSP) and electroacupuncture (EA) showing improvements in their symptoms, and the combinatorial effects of CSP and EA. We collected medical records of CTS outpatients who received CSP and EA at Chuku Acupuncture & Moxibustion Korean Medicine Clinic from August 2017 to September 2018. The outcome measures were the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, paresthesia, the Korean version of the Boston carpal tunnel questionnaire (K-BCTQ) score, and changes in nocturnal pain, Tinel sign, and Phalen's test. We included patient satisfaction at the completion of all treatments. 17 patients were included for this case series study. After treatment, VAS for pain decreased significantly from 50.41 ± 16.19 to 9.59 ± 9.46, VAS for paresthesia also decreased significantly from 63.50 ± 11.49 to 14.75 ± 12.97, and K-BCTQ symptom severity scale decreased from 2.48 ± 0.68 to 1.89 ± 0.70 (all p < 0.001). Nocturnal pain, Tinel signs, and Phalen's test showed improvements after all the treatments. All the patients reported favorable overall satisfaction with the treatments, and 69.23% wanted future pharmacopuncture treatments if CTS recurred. No complications were detected. The combination of CSP and EA could be an effective and safe option in treating CTS.

Sodium Picosulphate with Magnesium Citrate versus Polyethylene Glycol for Bowel Preparation in Children: A Systematic Review

  • Dziechciarz, Piotr;Ruszczynski, Marek;Horvath, Andrea
    • Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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    • v.25 no.3
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    • pp.228-239
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    • 2022
  • Purpose: To compare the effectiveness, tolerability, acceptability, and safety of sodium picosulphate with magnesium citrate (PS/Mg) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) in children (≤18 years) preparing for colonoscopy. Methods: Three electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) were searched till July 2020. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. At least two authors independently selected studies and performed risk of bias assessment and data extraction. Results: Four RCTs (n=390), with overall good quality were included. A meta-analysis of two trials (n=224) found no statistically significant difference between the groups with respect to the proportion of patients who had excellent and good scores (≥6 points) according to the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (relative risk: 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.90 to 1.08). Excellent and good scores were observed in both groups in approximately 90% of children. A meta-analysis of two other trials (n=150) showed no significant difference between the groups with respect to the mean total score for the Ottawa Bowel Preparation Scale (mean difference: 0.20; 95% CI: -0.74 to 1.14). Both regimens provided a comparable safety profile; however, PS/Mg was significantly superior to high volume PEG in terms of tolerability (abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating/flatulence/fullness) and acceptability (ease of formulation consumption, taste acceptance, need for nasogastric tube, compliance with full dose). Conclusion: PS/Mg provides a quality and safety profile similar to PEG for bowel cleansing; however, it has better acceptance and tolerance in children preparing for colonoscopy.

Usefulness of infrared thermography in diagnosing and evaluating severity of carpal tunnel syndrome

  • Yang, Jiwon;Lee, Yeong-Bae;Sung, Young-Hee;Shin, Dong-Jin;Kim, Yong-Jin;Park, Hyeon-Mi
    • Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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    • v.23 no.2
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    • pp.99-107
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    • 2021
  • Background: Pain and autonomic dysfunction are prominent symptoms in some patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Infrared thermography (IRT) has been used to evaluate CTS by measuring the cutaneous temperature and sympathetic vasomotor function. Methods: This study enrolled the 66 hands of 33 subjects, some of which had clinical CTS and the others were healthy. The enrolled patients completed the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) and Historical-Objective scale, and underwent nerve conduction studies (NCSs) and IRT. Skin temperature was measured at the fingertips and the thenar and hypothenar regions in each hand. We analyzed (1) the correlations between self-reported severity, physician-assessed severity, and test results, and (2) the sensitivity and specificity of IRT in diagnosing CTS. Results: No significant correlation was observed between the results of the BCTQ, NCS, and IRT. IRT had a low sensitivity and high specificity in diagnosing CTS. Conclusions: IRT cannot replace NCS in diagnosing CTS, nor did it provide an advantage in combination with NCS. However, lower temperatures at the median nerve in some hands with moderate-to-severe CTS suggested the involvement of sympathetic nerve fiber function. Follow-up studies with a larger-scale and complementary design are required to elucidate the relationships.

Decreased Attention in Narcolepsy Patients is not Related with Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (기면병 환자의 주의집중 저하와 주간졸음증 간의 상관관계 부재)

  • Kim, Seog-Ju;Lyoo, In-Kyoon;Lee, Yu-Jin;Lee, Ju-Young;Jeong, Do-Un
    • Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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    • v.12 no.2
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    • pp.122-132
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    • 2005
  • Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess cognitive functions and their relationship with sleep symptoms in young narcoleptic patients. Methods: Eighteen young narcolepsy patients and 18 normal controls (age: 17-35 years old) were recruited. All narcolepsy patients had HLA $DQB_1$ *0602 allele and cataplexy. Several important areas of cognition were assessed by a battery of neuropsychological tests consisting of 13 tests: executive functions (e.g. cognitive set shifting, inhibition, and selective attention) through Wisconsin card sorting test, Trail Making A/B, Stroop test, Ruff test, Digit Symbol, Controlled Oral Word Association and Boston Naming Test; alertness and sustained attention through paced auditory serial addition test; verbal/nonverbal short-term memory and working memory through Digit Span and Spatial Span; visuospatial memory through Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test; verbal learning and memory through California verbal learning test; and fine motor activity through grooved pegboard test. Sleep symptoms in narcolepsy patients were assessed with Epworth sleepiness scale, Ullanlinna narcolepsy scale, multiple sleep latency test, and nocturnal polysomnography. Relationship between cognitive functions and sleep symptoms in narcolepsy patients was also explored. Results: Compared with normal controls, narcolepsy patients showed poor performance in paced auditory serial addition (2.0 s and 2.4 s), digit symbol tests, and spatial span (forward)(t=3.86, p<0.01; t=-2.47, p=0.02; t=-3.95, p<0.01; t=-2.22, p=0.03, respectively). There were no significant between-group differences in other neuropsychological tests. In addition, results of neuropsychological test in narcolepsy patients were not correlated with Epworth sleepiness scale score, Ullanlinna narcolepsy scale score and sleep variables in multiple sleep latency test or nocturnal polysomnography. Conclusion: The current findings suggest that young narcolepsy patients have impaired attention. In addition, impairment of attention in narcolepsy might not be solely due to sleep symptoms such as excessive daytime sleepiness.

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Tele-metering

  • Hearte, L.O.
    • 전기의세계
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    • v.2
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    • pp.6-14
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    • 1949
  • Telemetering may be described as the art of metering at a considerable distance those quantities which are ordinarily encountered in industry, and in the generation of electric power. It is in the production of electric power that telemetering is particularly important, for it permits the system operator, or load dispatcher, to have before him at all times a continuous graphic record of the power output of each individual generating station together with an automatically made continuous graphic record of the total system output. There desired individual graphic records may be obtained showing power flow in or out, on important tie lines, etc. Such arrangements have the very great advantage that loads may be assigned to each generating station so that the best over-all system economy may be obtained and the system operator at all times may see with his own eyes that loads scheduled are actually held at the various stations. Moreover, with such equipment, in the event of system or station trouble the load dispatcher can see exactly what station, or stations, are affected and to what extent, without having to get in touch with anyone by telephone. Decisions can, therefore, be quickly reached for rescheduling the load. One of the most accurate and reliable telemetering systems is based on the use of potentiometric circuits, the fundamentals of which are discussed below. A member of such telemetering systems have been installed for the Boston Edicon Co., Boston, Massachusetts, the Consolidated Edison Co. of New York City. The Public Service Gas & Electric Co. of Newark, new Jersey. The Philadelphia Electric Co. for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Railroad Co. for their electrified zone between New York and Washington a distance of over 200 miles. The scale of the totalizing recorder for the New York area is 3,000,00 KW. That of the totalizing recorder for the Philadelphia area is 2,000,000 KW. The initial installation using this type of equipment described was placed in service for the Philadelphia Electric Co. in 1923. All of the original recording instruments are still in service, later instruments have been added to take care of additions to the power system and naturally these later recorders have incorporated in those refinements in design made since the earlier ones were manufactured. Many other installations of similar equipment have been made in the United States in various locations such as at St. Louis, on the West Coast, at Baltimore and in Washington, D.C. While the use of these basic potentiometric circuits involves the use of continuous metallic circuits of good insulation resistance and free of grounds, nevertheless, intermediate transmission links, involving and impulse method suitable for use on telephone Morse carrier channels is available. This same method may be employed on power line carrier systems and is also suitable for use on beam type microwave transmission. Many impulse type units are also used as a link in these potantiometric methods. For the sake of brevity a description is given only of these basic potentiometric circuits. If there is sufficient interest in Korea, a further paper can be given covering those impulse circuits also.

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Clinical and Electrophysiological Changes after Local Steroid Injection in the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (수근관증후군에서 국소 스테로이드 주사 후 임상적, 전기생리학적 변화)

  • Kim, Jihoon;Lee, Kee Ook;Yoon, Bora;Kim, Yong-Duk;Jung, Un Suk;Na, Sang-Jun
    • Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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    • v.15 no.1
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    • pp.7-12
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    • 2013
  • Background: Local steroid injection is used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and electrophysiological effects of local steroid injection in patients with CTS over a 3-months period. Methods: Twenty-one patients (35 hands) with clinical and electrophysiological evidence of CTS were treated by injection of triamcinolone 40 mg to the carpal tunnel. Visual analog scale (VAS), Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ), rates of paresthesia, night awakening, and electrophysiological studies were used as outcomes. Clinical and electrophysiological assessments were performed before, 1 and 3 months after treatment. Results: Prior to treatment, 86% of patients complained of night awakening. At 1 and 3 months after injection, only 17% and 29% of the patients, respectively, had night awakening (p<0.001). All patients complained of paresthesia before the treatment. This symptom disappeared in 60% and 31% of the patients after 1 and 3 months, respectively (p<0.001). Compared to baseline, both BCTQ and VAS show significant improvement during the 3 months of the study (p<0.005). Although significant improvements in clinical parameters were shown, electrophysiological parameters were not significantly improved at 1 and 3 months. Conclusions: Local corticosteroid injection for the treatment of CTS provides significant improvement in symptoms for 3 months. On the other hand, no significant improvement was observed in electrophysiological parameters.

Genomic DNA Extracted from Ancient Antarctic Glacier Ice for Molecular Analyses on the Indigenous Microbial Communities

  • Lee, Sang-Hoon;Bidle, Kay;Falkowski, Paul;Marchant, David
    • Ocean and Polar Research
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    • v.27 no.2
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    • pp.205-214
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    • 2005
  • From ancient Antarctic glacier ice, we extracted total genomic DNA that was suitable for prokaryotic 16S rDNA gene cloning and sequencing, and bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library and end-sequencing. The ice samples were from the Dry Valley region. Age dating by $^{40}Ar/^{39}Ar$ analysis on the volcanic ashes deposited in situ indicated the ice samples are minimum 100,000-300,000 yr (sample DLE) and 8 million years (sample EME) old. Further assay proved the ice survived freeze-thaw cycles or other re-working processes. EME, which was from a small lobe of the basal Taylor glacier, is the oldest known ice on Earth. Microorganisms, preserved frozen in glacier ice and isolated from the rest of the world over a geological time scale, can provide valuable data or insight for the diversity, distribution, survival strategy, and evolutionary relationships to the extant relatives. From the 16S gene cloning study, we detected no PCR amplicons with Archaea-specific primers, however we found many phylotypes belonging to Bacteria divisions, such as Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, Proteobacteria $({\alpha},\;{\beta},\;and\;{\gamma})$, Firmicutes, and Cytophaga-Flavobacterium-Bacteroid$. BAC cloning and sequencing revealed protein codings highly identical to phenylacetic acid degradation protein paaA, chromosome segregation ATPases, or cold shock protein B of present day bacteria. Throughput sequencing of the BAC clones is underway. Viable and culturable cells were recovered from the DLE sample, and characterized by their 16S rDNA sequences. Further investigation on the survivorship and functional genes from the past should help unveil the evolution of life on Earth, or elsewhere, if any.

Social Distancing in COVID-19: What Are the Implications for Musculoskeletal Problems and the Quality of Life?

  • Kim, Tae-Hyeong;Jee, Hyun-Jun;Bae, Chan-Woo;Choi, Sil-Ah
    • The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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    • v.33 no.2
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    • pp.84-90
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    • 2021
  • Purpose: This study examined the effects of social distancing in COVID-19 on musculoskeletal problems and the quality of life. Methods: One hundred and thirty-five subjects participated in this study and responded to an online survey on stress from the social distancing in COVID-19, computer and smartphone usages, musculoskeletal pain, and quality of life. The stress from social distancing was assessed by a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The Neck Disability Index (NDI), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) were provided to assess the musculoskeletal pain, and Short Form-36 (SF-36) was provided to assess the quality of life. Frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and independent t-test were used for data analysis. Results: Statistically significant, but low positive correlation stress from the social distancing (VAS) and NDI (r=0.19, p<0.05) and ODI (r=0.18, p<0.05), and negative correlation between stress from the social distancing (VAS) and SF-36 (r=-0.17, p<0.05). The NDI score was significantly greater in the group with high stress than in the group with low stress from social distancing (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study is meaningful in that it evaluated, through the physical therapy approaches, the potential side-effects on physical and mental health in various social changes caused by COVID-19. The results of this study may be used as basic data in future studies related to COVID-19.